Heat distribution control



May 3, 1949. c. E. MARKHAM 468,830

HEAT DISTRIBUTION CONTROL Filed Dc. 20, 1945 Patented May 3, 1949 tlNlTED STATES 'KENT QFFICE HEAT DISTRIBUTION CONTROL Missouri.

Application December 20, 1945, Serial No. 636,181

15 Claims.

This invention relates to heat distribution controls, and particularly to those adapted to selectively controlling the distribution of heat to spaces or rooms in buildings.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a heat distribution control, simple and dependable in operation, of economical construction, and particularly adapted to small and medium sized dwellings.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a heat distribution control of the above character employing a single non-reversible distribution motor.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a distribution control of the above character having a single central distributing valve.

AA further object of the present invention is to provide a distribution control of the above character capable of automatically distributing heat to a plurality of heat receiving spaces in accordance with their different and varying respective requirements.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a distribution control of the above character in which means is provided for preselecting the distribution.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specifications and accompanying drawings, referring to which:

Fig. l is a plan view of a furnace and a duct system serving enclosures or rooms outlined in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary View showing a portion of a furnace bonnet, and a portion of a manifold duct with a distributing valve and motor in accordance with one form of the present` invention Figure 3 is a diagramof the heat producingl According to the illustrated embodiment of l the invention, the heat producing device consists of a furnace Ill, herein illustrated as a warm air type adapted to supply heat through a duct system comprising a manifold duct II and branches l2, I3 and i4 to rooms I5, I6, I'l, I8 and I9. The furnace Ill includes an electrically operated burner unit 2B, which preferably is of the type that, when energized, supplies and ignites a combustible mixture.

The manifold duct II receives'heat from an accumulator or bonnet 2 Il at the top of the furance, and communicates therewith and is connected thereto by the short inlet riser 22.

Pivotally mounted within the duct II on a shaft 23 is a valve 24, arranged to direct heat to the main branches of the duct I I which extend to the right and left of the inlet 22 as it is moved toward its extreme left or right positions indicated in full and dotted lines in the drawing. For positioning the valve 24, an electric motor 25, having a eld winding 25a, is provided. Driven by the motor 25 is a gear reduction train, indicated at 25, and a power take oi shaft, indicated at 2l. Oscillation is imparted to the valve 24 upon rotation of the motor by the crank 28 keyed to the shaft 2I, connecting the rod 29 and the arm 3S which is keyed to the valve shaft 23.

For controlling the operation of the furance and the distribution of heat to the various spaces in accordance with requirements, a branched control circuit, shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3, is provided. This `circuit includes thermostatic switches 3l and 3 la which are suitably located to maintain selected temperatures in the several spaces or rooms. These thermostatic switches may be of any suitable design, but must include,

however, indicated adjusting means for both opy erating temperature and differential. A suitable thermostatic switch, meeting these requirements, is disclosed in Patent No. 2,291,502 to L. M. Persons, dated July 28, 1942.

The branched control circuit further includes the distribution motor iield winding 25a, motor field impedance holding lines 32 and 32a, a re-v lay 33, and positioning switches, generally indicated at 34 and 34a. The positioning switches 34 and 31M are operated by a cam 4I keyed to the shaft 21. The switches 34 and 34a are of the single pole double throw type, and are constructed and arranged in the way shown in Fig. 4 wherein the switch 34a is illustrated. n Fig. 4, a switch blade 42a, carrying movable contacts 43a and Mci is shown. When the blade 42a is moved toward the contact 45a, the contacts 44a and 45a will not be broken only after the contacts 63a and 45a are made. The switch 3d is similar, and corresponding parts are correspondingly numbered without the suffix a.

The relay 33 includes a coil 35 and a switch 35 closed when the coil is energized.

Power is derived from power lines 31 and 38. A transformer 39 has its primary connected across the power lines. A master switch 4I) is provided to control the power.

The connections are as shown. A line 5I) leads from the secondary of the transformer, with branches 5I and 52 connected directly to the thermostats 3| and 3Ia. The other contact of 3 the thermostat 3| is connected by a line 53 to the blade 42 of the switch 34. The other contact of the thermostat 3| a is connected by a line 54 to the blade 42a of the switch 34a.

The contact 45 of the switch 34 is connected through the impedance 32 to the lead 55 of the relay coil 35. The contact 45a` of. the switch 34a is likewise soE connected through the impedance 32d. These impedances are usually resistances having impedance values similar to that of the winding 25a.

The contact 46 of the switch 34 isy connected, by a line 55 with the field winding 25a,l and the contact 45a of the switch 34m-is likewise so connected by a line 51. The other end of the winding 25a is connected to the lead 55 of the relay coil. The other end of the relay coil 35 is connected by a line 58 to the secondary.

A high Voltage line 69 leads from the power line 31, behind the switch 4|), to the relay switch 36. From the other sideI of this switch, a line 6| leads to the burner device From the latter, a -line 62. leads back. to the other power line 33.

Operation In the illustrated embodiment, the heat receiving space consists of two control divisions: a left division (referring to Fig. 1') consisting of rooms I8' and I9, is supplied by the leftwardly extending branch of the manifold duct I l and' controlled by the. thermostatic switch 3| and a right division, consisting of rooms |5', I6. and IT, being supplied by the rightwardly extending branch of the manifold ductL and controlled by the thermostatic switch 3|a.

As shown in Fig. 3,y the thermostatic switches 3| and 31a are in a circuit breaking position indicating no requirement of heat in either control division, and consequently the relay 3'3 is de'- energized, resulting in an open circuitA for the burner unit 2B. The positioning switch 34 is in position to complete an energizing circuit for the distributing motor when the' thermostat 3| calls for heat and the positioning switch 34a is in a eld shunting position due to the position of the cam 4| as a resultl of the last preceding requirement for heat being the right hand control division controlled by the thermostatic. switch 3io.

Assuming now that the main line switch 4'!! is closed'. and thaty the temperature in the left hand control division drops suiciently to cause the closing of the thermostatic switch 3|', a circuit is now completed for energizing the distributing motor as follows: the lead 53, the switch. blade 422,V the lead 56., the field winding 25a. the lead' 55, the relay coil 35, the lead 58, the transformer secondary winding, the lead' 5|), and the lead 5| bac-k to the switch 3|. This circuit energizes the relay coil 35, to close theA switch. 36 and complete the circuit of the burner device 20. from the power line 3l', the line 60,. the switch 36, the. line 6|, the burner device 25 and the lead 52. to the other power line 38.

The distributing motor 25 is energized simultaneously with the relay coil and. starts the shaft 21' to rotating, thereby rotating the crank 25 and the cam 4|'. The crank 25 displaces the valve 24 to the right, to direct heat. leftward. in the duct ll. The cam 4|' first releases the blade 42a. so that it breaks the contact 45a. and makes the contact a'. the thermostat 3io., this shift is of no consequence, and merely cocks the circuit for an operation by closing of the thermostat 31a. As the crank 25 causes the valve damper to approach As these circuits are open at 4 the right hand position, the cam 4| acts on the blade 42, to break the contact 46 and thereafter to make the contact 45.

As the contact 46 is held until the contact 45 is closed, there is no break in the circuit through the coil 35. However, the winding 25a is taken out. oi circuit,y and the holding circuit through the resistance 32 forms the lead for the coil 35, and the eld winding 25a is deenergized. Thereupon the motor 25 will stop, with the damper in right hand position, the relay switch 35 closed, andthe burner motor 20 in operation.

Heat produced by the operation of the burner unit 20 will continue to flow toward the left under these conditions until either the thermostatic switch 3| is satised, or until the thermostatic switch Bla calls for heat. In the event the switch 3| becomes satis/ned before the switch 3|a calls for heat, the control circuit will be broken at 3|, and consequently the circuit energizing the burner unit 2t will be broken at the switch 3E. In the event the switch 3|'a closes, calling for heat before the switch 3| is satisfied, the distribution motor 25 will again be energized through av circuit as. follows: the lead 54', the switch blade 42a, the contact 45a, the lead 51, the motor eld winding 25a, the lead 55, the relay coil 35, the lead 58,A the transformer secondary and' leads 50 and' 52 back to the switch 3|a. It will be remembered that this circuit was cocked by shifting oi the switch arm 42a4 when the previous cycle started.

The motor 25 will continue to oscillate the valve 24 slowly, directing heat successively to the left and right divisions, and successively restricting the right and left divisions until one or the other of the thermostatic space switches is satised. Upon satisfying the heat requirements of either control division,` the valve 24 will come to rest in a position for directing heat to the division last requiring heat. The use of a gear reducton (26) resulting in a shaft (21) speed of approximately four revolutions per minute is. contemplated.

Obviously a distribution control constructed in accordance with the present invention. can be used for circulating refrigerated air as well as heated air., and is equally adaptable to. gravity or forced circulation systems. The foregoing description is intended to be illustrative, not limiting, and. the use of all modifications within the scope of the appended claims is contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1.. In a heat distribution control in combination, heating means,l a distributing duct having heat receiving inlet and" outlet branches, a plurality of heat receiving spaces each being served by one of said outlet branches, a valve in said duct at the junctionV of said branches and being movable to positions for successively restricting said branches, electrically operated means for moving said valve, and means including a temperature-responsive switch in each of said spaces each being responsive. to a decrease in temperaturev in its respective space, connections between the switches and valve moving means for causing said valve to be moved to -a less restricting position with respect to the branch serving that space, whenever any temperature-responsive switch demands heat.

2. In a heat distribution control in combination, heating means, a distributing duct having heat receiving inlet 4and outlet branches, a plurality of heat receiving spaces each being served by one ofv said branches, a valve in said duct at the junction of said branches, said valve being movable through a control cycle in which said branches are successively restricted, electrically operated means for cyclingsaid valve, means including a temperature-responsive switch in each of said spaces each being responsive to a decrease in temperature for completing an energizing circuit for said last mentioned means, and a positioning switch for each of said branches each arranged to interrupt said energizing circuit when said valve has been moved to a non-restricting position with relation to its respective branch.

3. In a control for distribution of temperature conditioned fluid in combination, temperature conditioning means, a branched distributing conduit, a plurality of conditioned fluid receiving spaces each being served by one of said branches, an apportioning valve controlling said br-anches at the junction thereof, electrically operated means for moving said valve through a cycle of successive positions in each of which at least one of said branches is restricted, control means for said electrically operated means including a temperature-responsive switch in each or said uid receiving spaces each responsive to a requirement for temperature conditioned iiuid to complete an energizing circuit branch for said electrically operated means, and cam operated switch means for each of said circuit branches each being movable to a circuit interrupting position as said valve is moved to a non--restricting position with relation to its respective conduit branch.

4. In a control for distribution oi temperature conditioned uid in combination, temperature conditioning means, a branched distributing conduit, -a plurality of receiving spaces each being served by one of said branches, a valve in said conduit at the junction of said branches, said valve being movable in one direction to a position in which at least one ci said branches is restricted and movable in an opposite direction to a position in which at least one other of said branches is restricted, electrically operated means for moving said valve, and means including a temperature-responsive switch in each of said spaces each being responsive to a requirement for temperature conditioned iiuid in its space, connections between the switches and the valve moving means for causing said valve to be moved toward a non-restricting position with respect to its space, whenever one of said temperature-responsive switches requires fluid.

5. In a control for distribution of temperature conditioned fluid in combination, temperature conditioning means, a branches distributing conduit, a plurality of conditioned fluid receiving spaces each being served by one of said branches, a valve in said conduit controlling said branches, said valve being movable through a cycle in which said branches are successively restricted, electrically operated means for cycling said valve, means including a temperature-responsive switch in each of said spaces each being responsive to -a requirement for conditioned uid to complete an energizing circuit for said electrically operated means, and positioning switch means for each of said branches each being operable under certain conditions to interrupt said energizing circuit as said valve is moved to a non-restricting position with respect to its branch.

6. In a heat distribution control in combination, electrically operated heating means, a plurality of heat receiving spaces, a distributing valve movable through a cycle when energized in which said spaces are successively supplied with approximately equivalent amounts of heat, electric circuit means for operating said valve, means including a temperature -responsive switch connected with the circuit means, in each of said spaces, each of which is responsive to a decrease in temperature for causing the operation of said heating means and the cycling of said valve, and switch means in said circuit' means for each of said spaces, and means operating said last named switch means to stop said valve in a position in which a disproportionate amount of heat is supplied to at least one of said spaces.

'7. In a heat distribution control in combination, heating means, a distributing duct having heat receiving inlet and outlet branches, a plurality of heat receiving spaces each being served by one of said outlet branches, a valve in said duct at the junction of said branches and being movable through -a cycle of positions in which said branches are successively restricted, and means including a temperature-responsive switch in each of said spaces each being responsive to a predetermined drop in temperature in one of said spaces for moving said valve to a nonrestricting position with respect to the branch serving that space and being responsive to a predetermined drop in temperature in their respective spaces to jointly cause the cycling of said valve.

3. In a heat distribution control in combination, electrically operated heating means, a distributing duct having heat receiving inlet and outlet branches, a plurality of heat receiving spaces each being served by one of said outlet branches, a valve in said duct at the junction of said branches and being movable through a cycle in which said branches are successively restricted, and means including a temperature-responsive switch in each of said spaces each being responsive to a predetermined drop in temperature in its respective space for causing the operation of the heating means and for causing said valve to be moved to a non-restricting position with respect to that space and being responsive to a predetermined drop in temperature in their respective spaces to jointly cause the operation of said heating means and the cycling of said valve.

9. In a heat distribution control in combination, electrically operated heating means, a distributing duct having heat receiving inlet and e outlet branches, a plurality of heat receiving successively supplied with approximately equivalent amounts of heat, means including a temperature-responsive switch in each of said spaces each being responsive to a decrease in temperature in one of said spaces for causing the operation of the heating means and for moving said valve to a position in which an increased amount of heat is delivered to its respective space and being responsive to a decrease in temperature in more than one of said spaces to jointly cause the operation of said heating means and the cycling of said valve.

10. In a heat distribution control in combination, heating means, a heat distributing duct having a heat receiving inlet and branched outlets, a plurality of heat receiving spaces each being served by one of said branches, a valve in said duct at thev junction of said branches, said valve. being movable through a control cycle in which a predetermined quantity of heat is distributed to each of said spaces, a temperature-responsive switch in each of said spaces each being responsive to a decrease in temperature in its respective space, means responsive to operation of any one of said switches for causing said valve to be moved to a position for increasing the iiow of heat to that space, said means being responsive to a predetermined decrease in temperature in more than one of said spaces to jointly cause the cyciing of said Valve.

l1. In a heat distribution control in combination, electrically controlled heating means, a heat distributing duct having a heat receiving inlet and a pair of main outlet divisions, heat receiving spaces each being served by one of said outlet divisions, a valve in said duct adjacent said inlet and being pivoted at one edge and ai ranged to oscillate from a restricting to a non-restricting position with respect to each outlet division, electrically controlled means for oscillating said Valve, and means including a temperature-responsive switch in each of said spaces each being responsive to a requirement for heat to cause the operation of said heating means and the oscillation of said valve.

12. In a heat distribution control in combination, electrically operated heating means, a heat distributing duct having a heat receiving inlet and a pair of main outlet divisions, heat receiving spaces each being served by one of said outlet divisions, a valve in said duct adjacent said inlet and being pivoted at one edge for oscillation between restricting and non-restricting positions with respect to each outlet division, a rotary elec tric motor for oscillating said valve, and control means including a temperature-responsive switch in each of said spaces each being responsive to a predetermined temperature in its respective space to complete an energizing circuit for said heating means and for said electric motor.

13. In a heat distribution control in combination, electrically operated heating means, a heat distributing duct having a heat receiving inlet and branched outlet divisions, heat receiving spaces each being served by one of said outlet branches, a valve in said duct adjacent said inlet and being pivoted at one edge for oscillation be tween restricting and non-restricting positions with respect to each outlet branch, a rotary electric motor for oscillating said valve, control means including a temperature-responsive switch in each of said spaces each being responsive to a predetermined temperature in its respective space to complete an energizing circuit for said heating means and for said electric motor, and means including a cam operated switch for each of said branches each being operative to shunt said m0- tor as said valve is moved to a non-restricting position relative to its respective branch.

14. In a mechanism for distributing a tempering medium to a plurality of spaces, from acommon supply, the combination of valving means for controlling ow of the medium to each space, a thermostat in each space, means operable in response to demand by any one thermostat, without demand by another, to cause the valving means to deliver the medium constantly to the space wherein said thermostat is located, and means operable in response to a demand by a plurality of said thermostats to cause said valving means to successively andy cyclically deliver said medium to said spaces demanding the same.

l5. In a mechanism for distributing a tempering medium to a plurality of spaces, from a common supply, the combination of valving means for controlling flow of the medium to each space, a thermostat in each space, means operable in response to demand by any one thermostat, without demand by another, to cause the valving means to deliver the medium constantly to the space wherein said thermostat is located, means operable in response to a demand by a plurality of said thermostats to cause said valvng means to successively and cyclically deliver said medium to said spaces demanding the same, and means tostop delivery of the tempering mediumwh-en no thermostat demands the same.

CHARLES E. MARKHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,109,649 Rather Mar. 1, 1938I 2,157,817 Crago May 9, 1939 

